Thousands march against amendment to Animal Protection Law

Thousands of animal rights activists marched against a draft law on Sunday that would make changes to Turkey's Animal Protection Law No. 5199, seeking to introduce practices currently used in other countries such as collecting stray animals from the streets and euthanizing members of the “excess” population.More than 10,000 people marched in İstanbul's Taksim neighborhood, and many others walked in 13 other cities, in protest of the planned changes. The media didn't cover the event extensively during the day, as the congress of the Justice and Development Party (AK Party), also held on Sunday, stole the show, at least on television screens. Social media users, however, provided equal coverage.Turks will not give up their stray animals to be isolated or euthanized. There were simultaneous protests in 13 other cities, although officials have mostly been silent on the matter. . . . .